It seems like right after I fix one problem with my ZJ another shows up. I always hear random growling and have random vibrating coming from the front end. I have the quadra-trac model transfer case so I never really switch it out of 4 all time. Today I was cruising at about 30 mph and the transfer case made a deafening grinding noise. I had to limp my jeep home while holding the case shifter forward in 4 AT (i don't know if it helped or not). Was it just a simple case slip or is there any possible failure?

The random vibrating coming from the front end sounds like the death wobble to me. Also when that transfer case fails it defaults to locking all four wheels together and it shouldn’t make a deafening grinding noise when it fails unless you broke the chain inside. If you think it’s your transfer case I would check the fluid level. Also does it jump and buck when turning corners?

I had a KJ with a 231 case that made grinding noises. I just replaced it with a 242. When I finally got around to taking it apart to see what was wrong, I discovered a retaining clip had broken off the main shaft & got sucked into the low range gears, causing all sorts of damage.

It does kind of handle funny when turning sharp, but no bucking. I found out I was driving for a long time with absolutely no fluid in the transfer case and feel very stupid right now and hope that I did not do too much damage to it (i had to drive at 20 mph up a highway in 4 low to a service center)

It does kind of handle funny when turning sharp, but no bucking. I found out I was driving for a long time with absolutely no fluid in the transfer case and feel very stupid right now and hope that I did not do too much damage to it (i had to drive at 20 mph up a highway in 4 low to a service center)

DW is when your front suspension components get worn or damaged and end up with a little bit of play in them causing normal road vibration to increase in frequency and intensity.

in short, your worst F'n nightmare lol.

should you ever experience it, it is in fact unmistakable. you're first thought might be something like, "holy $hi#, im gonna die." as the jeep feels like its going to shake itself into another dimension.